A Rhinestone Button

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Gail Anderson-Dargatz's third novel reinterprets the Biblical story of Job set in Alberta's farm country. Fans will appreciate the familiar elements: the protagonist's isolated rural upbringing, rich farming lore, and vivid natural descriptions. Job Sunstrum, a shy young cattle farmer, possesses synesthesia, allowing him to see and feel sound. For him, the sound of a vacuum cleaner feels like "an invisible egg with the smooth, cool feel of glass." Although he is too "pretty" for the ordinary folk of Godsfinger, Job finds solace in his farming, baking almond squares, and his connection to the vacuum. His world shifts with the return of his brother Jacob, an out-of-work pastor with a troubled family. This upheaval forces Job to navigate his relationships, from childhood friends to an attractive waitress. As Job grapples with his identity, he encounters born-again religion through Jacob's charismatic friend, Jack Divine. Anderson-Dargatz humorously depicts Job's initiation into Pentecostalism, including his awkward attempts to speak in tongues. However, the novel struggles with choppy narrative transitions and a certain emptiness that reflects Job's character limitations. Despite his angelic nature, Job's dimness makes it difficult to fully engage with his journey.